A successful city trip is often won before you even leave. Nothing is worse than discovering, the day before, that your passport has expired or that the museum you dreamed of is fully booked. Good news: all this can be anticipated in a few minutes. Here's our checklist, from the most important to the smartest.
The essentials (check these first)
- Valid ID — ID card or passport, depending on the destination. Check the expiry date!
- Means of payment — a bank card suited to travel abroad + a little cash for small expenses.
- Insurance / European Health Insurance Card to travel in Europe with peace of mind.
- Confirmations (flight, hotel) saved offline on your phone.
What to book in advance
This is THE reflex that changes a stay. Book the big dated-slot sites as a priority (they sell out fast) and remember to compare prices. To know what to book and when, our city guides are here — for example what to do in Paris or what to do in Rome — and our dedicated article on skipping the queues.
What to pack for a city trip
For a weekend, a cabin bag is more than enough — and saves you the wait at the belt. The essentials:
- Good walking shoes — a city trip is easily 15,000 steps a day.
- Weather-appropriate clothing and a light waterproof layer, just in case.
- A plug adapter if needed, and a power bank for your phone.
- A light backpack for the day, safer than an open bag against pickpockets.
On site: the smart reflexes
Download the city map offline and the metro maps before you leave. Keep your valuables close to your body in tourist areas. And above all, leave yourself some free time: the best memories often come from a lane stumbled upon by chance.
Finally, let the CityPlanner app build your day-by-day itinerary: it groups your activities, optimises your routes and suggests the best outings around you. All that's left is to enjoy.
